US COMPANY CREATES 10 NEW JOBS IN BELFAST

AN AMERICAN industrial design and product development firm is to open an office in Belfast creating 10 jobs.

Californian-based Leardon Solutions, which is based in San Diego, helps small and medium-sized firms bring their products to market.

The company has previously worked with the University of Ulster and Antrim-based Randox pharmaceutical firm.

Chief executive Mike Hoggatt said the firm was attracted by the pool of experienced technical, design and engineering skills.

The company is investing £695,000 with a grant of £80,000 from InvestNI.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster, who is on a trade mission in California, said: “Leardon Solutions will find Northern Ireland to be a cost-competitive and business-friendly environment, where it can access excellent government support”.